Am I wrong to do this?

[traycie2201]

wow i guess there are advantages to being in the uK after all, as you can see by my previous post i'll be taking DS out again with no qualms and no penalties, i did however find this great letter on themouseforless.com that can be modified to suit your needs and might help when requesting time off for wdw. hope someone finds it useful.

DATE:

TO: [school official]

FROM:

RE: [students name and vacation dates]

Please be advised that [student] will be out of school during the week of [date]. We ask that his absences be excused.

The reason for [student]'s absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that [student] will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things [student] will learn about:

* Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) [student] will have the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from each country who work as cast members.

* American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.

* Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.

* Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.

* Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on how to spend his money.

[student] will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for [student] and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for [student] to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

[Parent's Signture]

 

[tvguy]

In California, in the public schools, you'll be explaining that vacation to a judge. They routinely do "sweeps" and arrest parents. Schools here get paid by the number of days your child is sitting in the classroom. They get nothing if your child is sick or on vacation.
Both my kids are in private school, and while they are much easier on kids being absent IF they do their work, they discourage vacations because they feel the kids should be in class.
Public schools here are in session for 180 5 hour days, which is the minimum instruction time allowed by law. My kids have more leeway because their schools are in session for 190 6 hour days.

 

[traycie2201]

thats outrageous,so they arent' really concerned about the child missing school just about funding ?? here the schools are paid for with our taxes so maybe that's why theres a little more leniency , that said don't the courts have more important things to worry about that kids having the occasional holiday with their family, surely it costs more to investigate / go before a judge than the school will be losing anyway ? I can understand if the child is missing school too frequently but not for a holiday.

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by tvguy
In California, in the public schools, you'll be explaining that vacation to a judge. They routinely do "sweeps" and arrest parents. Schools here get paid by the number of days your child is sitting in the classroom. They get nothing if your child is sick or on vacation.
Both my kids are in private school, and while they are much easier on kids being absent IF they do their work, they discourage vacations because they feel the kids should be in class.
Public schools here are in session for 180 5 hour days, which is the minimum instruction time allowed by law. My kids have more leeway because their schools are in session for 190 6 hour days.

I am now considering move to California just so I can formally "sweep" that school board into the street! Although I previously posted that "I" do not wish to take my high schooler out of school for vacation, it is my choice, not the state of New York.

I have to add something. This past school year, my daughter was absent about 26 days. The principal questioned me about the "choices" I am making for my daughter. I almost turned blue from holding my breath and clenching my teeth. After my oxygen level was restored, I explained that when my children are sick, they do not attend school. I keep them home for 24 hours after a fever breaks. My mother lives with us, so I am truly blessed to be able to do this.

Sigh - sorry for the rant. No matter what, you decide for your child.


Freedom to think, is the first step in liberty!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Schools have rules. In most cases we are aware of the rules when we enroll our children. In most cases we are aware of the rules when we plan our vacations. Why get angry with the school or school system when they enforce the rules?

IF I ever take my son out of school for a vacation, I know that he will rack up a ton of zeros, and the days out will be unexcused. I'll have to deal with the consquences of my choice.

If I refuse to accept this rule, what other rules am I free to refuse to adhere to? How can a school run smoothy if families are free to pick and choose which policies should apply to them?

Don't get me wrong, I think some schools have some off the wall policies. I can think of several from my son's school that drives me nuts. But since I've decided to keep him there, I agree to follow those rules.

I think there should be some exceptions to the rules. Those famlies that just can't time off during school breaks should be excused. Those family taking a specia, one time trip should be excused. Those who take the kids out yearly just because, should have to accept whatever rules are in place.

We're lucky that we are not FORCED to take vacation during the school year. I can take vacation during school breaks. I've always been able to get great discounts, the heat and crowds do not bother us.

 

[cepmom]

In my case, we were not aware that vacations were unexcused absences....I read that handbook cover to cover and no where in it did it indicate that vacations were unexcused. It did state the policy for more than 5 unexcused absences, but failed to define what constituted and unexcused absence. Furthermore, I wrote the a school a letter and letters to all the teachers in advance explaining that we would be on vacation, therefore my DD would be out of school for the week. Nobody said a word until AFTER we returned.

I was under the impression that unexcused absences were when a child skipped school; unexcused by the parents. I still can't believe that you need a doctor's note for every time your child is home sick! It's a parents right to excuse a child if they are sick; whether a doctor is needed or not.

Sometimes (in our school anyway) that the schools decide when to adhere to their policies and when not to.

BTW- the handbook STILL does not define unexcused absences...I guess everyone is supposed to know already

 

[graygables]

Originally posted by disneyjunkie
Schools have rules. In most cases we are aware of the rules when we enroll our children. In most cases we are aware of the rules when we plan our vacations. Why get angry with the school or school system when they enforce the rules?

IF I ever take my son out of school for a vacation, I know that he will rack up a ton of zeros, and the days out will be unexcused. I'll have to deal with the consquences of my choice.

If I refuse to accept this rule, what other rules am I free to refuse to adhere to? How can a school run smoothy if families are free to pick and choose which policies should apply to them?

Don't get me wrong, I think some schools have some off the wall policies. I can think of several from my son's school that drives me nuts. But since I've decided to keep him there, I agree to follow those rules.

I think there should be some exceptions to the rules. Those famlies that just can't time off during school breaks should be excused. Those family taking a specia, one time trip should be excused. Those who take the kids out yearly just because, should have to accept whatever rules are in place.

We're lucky that we are not FORCED to take vacation during the school year. I can take vacation during school breaks. I've always been able to get great discounts, the heat and crowds do not bother us.

When the rule impinges on parental rights, the parent has an *obligation* to protect those rights, therefore refusing to accept the rule. Some people do not have the financial means nor transportation to enroll children in a private school and some parents do not feel that they are capable of schooling their children at home. That does not preclude them from maintaining the "care, custody, and control" of their children even beyond the schoolhouse door. While I understand the "rules" are in place b/c there are parents out there who don't give a rip, it's simply another case of the schools "dumbing down" to accomodate the lowest denominator. It's not right and it's not fair and it is wrong for good parents to cow to it.

As I said, this is my one big soapbox!

 

[rwcmath]

This thread seems very much a sign of the times. My children are grown and we wouldn't have taken them out of school for vacations. Your sons and daughters have teachers not private tutors who would be expected to teach the work individually. How can you justify adding to the teacher's work load because you are lucky enough to have enough money for a vacation and you don't care to do it when it is built into the schedule? Suppose in every 2 week period there are 2 students out for vacations, which 2 weren't here for the special activity? The review? The special song?

It seems to me that taking your children out of school for a vacation adds to the work of already overworked teachers.

I have been a public school math teacher and I loved it, but it's harder to teach than some of you think.

 

[TammiMcMan]

When we were newly married, we purchased a timeshare in Florida for a week in September. It was so nice enjoying the parks with very little crowds. In all there were 8 family members who also owned the same week. As the kids came along, we had no issues with taking them out of school. Once they hit middle school though, we had a problem. They only give them 5 unexcused absences before failing them for the term. In our town, this policy has been in effect for the last 15 years or so. My son is a competitive figure skater and this past school year he missed nearly 10 days due to regional and national competitions. Even with advance notice, none of his teachers would pre-assign his homework and when he came back to school, each one was only available one afternoon a week for makeup. His first quarter grades were dismal and nearly cost him getting accepted at a private high school. He starts there in September and we've already met with the principal to discuss his skating schedule and a planned trip to Europe this spring. He told us that as long as his grades were okay and his teachers signed off on it, he would have no problem. The teachers are available every morning and afternoon for makeup.

Bottom line, I think it's great to have that family time and in the lower grades, it seems to be more accepted. Once they reach middle school though, it can be a different story.

 

[hydster]

Graygables..I am with you 100 percent on this issue! I PAY the taxes that fund the school and the teachers salary.

I am still the parent whether the State wants to admit it or not and I still do have the right to decide what is best for my child within reason and I don't think taking a child out of school for a few days is unreasonable. Our kids learn A LOT more on a vacation about real life, economics of another country, math, science, and history than they would learn from a textbook in an overcrowded classroom.

I also don't buy the whole "too much work for an overworked teacher" theory either but that's a whole other thread for me!

Heidi

 

[crisi]

Most of these are state laws.

Here is the issue from the other side of the fence. The legislators hear "the schools are doing a lousy job educating our kids" from the voters. They look for reasons. They feel a need to fix the problem - maybe because education tends to be a really big issue and is important to the voters....maybe because they really believe kids should get an education in school.

Now, there are lots of reasons schools do a poor job educating - and many steps states have taken to try and remedy the problem. But one reason is that some students have excessive absenteeism. Students don't learn the ciriculum when they are not in school (notice I didn't say they don't learn - but they won't have the same knowledge that the kids who sat in class do). Moreover, getting these kids up to speed takes time away from the teacher and the other students in the class.

Many kids handle a week or more away from school without problem. Most don't. Even the ones that keep up cause additional work for the teachers and inconvience the other students. They may only get to participate in half a team project - not fair for the other team members. Make up assignments need to be created, done and collected. Sometimes tutoring has to be done - if you miss how to multiply fractions, you probably are going to need someone to explain it to you. The flow of the classroom is interrupted. When everyone else had to do oral book reports in front of the class (remember how much fun those were!) the kid who was gone gets to do it during recess for the teacher and the other students cry "no fair!" - but the alternative, backing up a unit so the student can do his book report - takes time from the class when the rest of them have moved on.

In order to address these issues, legislators make laws regarding absenteeism. They may encourage attendence by tying funding to attendence. They may threaten to send (and in some cases actually send) social services after you to see if you are an unfit parent. These laws have another advantage - unlike additional school funding, more days, longer hours, smaller class sizes, bonus programs for good teachers, and many of the other ideas floated to improve education - they are nearly free. Just some money towards social services and the truant officer. Taxpayers at least won't yell at them for spending money on ineffectual programs. Tying funding is even better - you might actually save money since you aren't paying for kids not in their seats.

You have many rights regarding your children. You can homeschool them, you can put them in private school or you can put them in public school. If you have them in public school, you need to follow laws regarding public school attendance - or perhaps like speeding - ant least not break them aggregiously

 

[graygables]

Originally posted by crisi
Most of these are state laws.


You have many rights regarding your children. You can homeschool them, you can put them in private school or you can put them in public school. If you have them in public school, you need to follow laws regarding public school attendance - or perhaps like speeding - ant least not break them aggregiously

A parent has ALL rights regarding their children. Yes, you can homeschool or private school, *BUT* when they are in a public school, you have not abandoned your parental rights when they walk through the door. Period. Unfortunately, many parents believe they have no rights beyond that point and bow to the school instead of standing up for what is right. Comparing speeding (public safety, people *dying*) to children being *excused* from school by their parents is ludicrous.

I believe I mentioned that I was a public school teacher, more specifically, high school English, and yes, it was a bit of an "inconvenience" when students were absent, but I wasn't so stuck on "The Plan" that I couldn't adjust to meet their needs. If a parent excused a child from my class, then by all means it was an excused absence in my book. I had more trouble from the athletes who wanted me to hand them a "C" so they could be "eligible" than I had from the students who travelled or were sick; at least *they* were conscientious about doing some work.

 

[MoranClan]

Hello..

I have to tell You...

I guess I am lucky...I always take my children out from School for vacations..

We always go to WDW Between Thanksgiving and Christmas..

The Parks are empty, and from that time period nothing really happens in school..

Luckily My wife is a Teacher, On leave for a while until my youngest starts school, But she makes sure everything gets done on the vacation as far as school work goes...

So far My 2 DD's have made honors and have had no problem with the absence..

We understand the teachers have gone out of their way to get us the work that is being done, but I pay High School Tax and they do work for us...So I feel it kind of balances out..

I say, If all you can afford is to take those Low Times..Then Do it..

just make sure the School work gets Done..and everyone is happy..

Bobby

 

[crisi]

Quite the contrary - you do not have complete rights over your child. Beat your child and the state will remove your child from you. Don't feed them and the state will remove them. Don't see to their education, and the state will send social service to your door - the threshhold for a visit varies, but eventually, they will. And in California and I think Texas, the threshhold for that visit cna be quite low.

The state has the ability to trump parental rights. In passing these laws they have done so. Have a problem with them, take it to court and see if they will declare them unconstitutional (they won't, courts have determined the state has a right to do these sorts of things).

Parental rights vs. the right of the government to interfere has gone back and forth over the life of this country. In some cases, we have been far more eagar to terminate parental rights (unwed white mothers in the 1950s comes to mind) than others.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not sure which side of the debate I even fall on. I think its reasonable to pull your kids from school for vacation for a few days. I also see a need to make sure kids get educated and remember going to school with a number of kids who would show up in class a few days a year - whose parents really deserved to receive a visit from social services.

 

[graygables]

Be assured that I have done my homework on this subject and I can tell you that the Supreme Court of the United States has dealt with the subject of parental rights *in education* with a final statement that parents have the right to the "care, custody, and control" of their children. I most certainly am *NOT* talking about the *health* of a child (beating, starving), I am talking, specifically, about parents having the right to *excuse their child from the classroom*. As I said, our district tried to deny my DD credit and the attornies could not argue with my declaration of parental rights (she got her credit, no problem). It is a simple case of the school officials (and school boards) not being familiar with the legislature and the Constitution and the parents are not aware of their rights, so the status quo and the question of, "Can I take my kid out of school for a Disney World vacation?" continues. There are, indeed, laws in this nation and federal laws "trump" state laws in these matters. Your parental rights are there, waiting to be reclaimed. I encourage any parent to not allow the public schools to bully them for bucks. If my child can make the grade without her butt warming the seat, then so be it.

 

[dinnysuw]

Quite the contrary - you do not have complete rights over your child. Beat your child and the state will remove your child from you. Don't feed them and the state will remove them. Don't see to their education, and the state will send social service to your door - the threshhold for a visit varies, but eventually, they will. And in California and I think Texas, the threshhold for that visit cna be quite low.

OMG this simple question about feeling guilty about taking kids out of school has completely gone off track. By stating the above quote are you saying that we-those of us parents who do take their children out of school to go on vacation for a few days fall into the same category as those parents who beat and starve their children? I assure you that no child welfare agent will be visiting my door! I do not pull them out without at least a months notice-i discuss the time off with the prinicial and teachers. we pay over 3500.00 to send our children to a private school and i assure you i do not request a refund for those missed days so i do not feel bad about asking for the work they will miss. I know you are quoting laws but I feel that you have really strayed off course here. and I for one am offended by the implication. we are talking about trips to WDW and Disney cruises not abandoning or neglecting our childrens needs!

 

[mbw12]

OMG....thank God my child goes to the school district that he does! Our school district recognizes family vacations as excused abscences. They even state in theh school handbook that they recognize the value of family time, and realize that not everyone can take vacations during school breaks. It is up to the discretion of the teacher whether or not to give you work in advance or not....but all teachers understand that this is an excused abscence! I have no idea what I would do if my child went to a school where it wasn't excused!!! I sort of do agree that this oversteps the schools control over my child....but I will leave it at that, and not further that discussion!!!!!!!!!